Pipe Descaling
What Is Pipe Descaling and Why It’s Important for Cast Iron Pipes
If you have old cast iron pipes in your home, you’re probably well aware of the hazards they can face. While their durability is tremendous, over time these pipes can rust or become clogged up with waste, gunk, and other debris that flows out from your toilets and drains found throughout your home. This substance is known as scale, and after a while, this debris that sticks to the walls of your pipes can get so thick that wastewater and sewage struggle to flow away from your home, causing clogs. Tree roots and other debris can also cause microscopic cracks to become a serious issue, potentially causing even more catastrophic clogging.
A Trenchless Alternative to Traditional Pipe Replacement
In the past, the only way to replace an old, clogged or leaking pipe would be to completely dig up your yard or even jackhammer the foundation of your home in order to dig up the pipe, replace it, and then put everything back to how it was. This process was long, labor-intensive, and cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars. Today, our technicians can solve the problem with no jackhammering, minimal digging, and far less time than in the past by simply running a tool up your plumbing line that eliminates the issue all at once.
Advanced Pipe Descaling Solutions from Viking Sewer Rehab
- State-of-the-art technology
- Competitive pricing
- Camera inspections to locate the problem and ensure it is repaired
- Ability to service pipes as large as 50” in diameter
We also offer lateral reinstatement services so your lateral drain and sewer lines can feed back into your main line after it has been fixed with a CIPP repair service. Lateral reinstatement uses a similar technique to pipe descaling in order to re-open a hole in your new CIPP lined pipe and allow your lateral lines to continue to drain.
Pipe Descaling FAQs
How do I know if my pipes need descaling?
Pipes may need descaling when rust and mineral buildup narrow the inside of the pipe. Common signs include frequent drain clogs, slow drains, gurgling sounds, or recurring sewer backups. A sewer camera inspection can confirm whether scale buildup is restricting the line.
Can pipe descaling prevent sewer line replacement?
Yes. Pipe descaling can remove heavy rust and scale buildup from cast iron pipes, restoring proper flow and extending the life of the pipe. In many cases, descaling allows the pipe to be repaired with trenchless methods instead of requiring full sewer line replacement.
Is pipe descaling safe for old cast iron pipes?
Yes, when performed by professionals. Pipe descaling uses specialized mechanical tools designed to remove hardened scale without damaging the pipe structure. It is commonly used on aging cast iron sewer pipes before trenchless repairs like epoxy coating or pipe lining to improve bonding and long-term repair results.
How much buildup can pipe descaling remove?
Pipe descaling can remove heavy rust scale, mineral deposits, and hardened debris from the inside walls of sewer pipes. This process restores the pipe diameter and allows wastewater to flow freely again.
Do all cast iron pipes need descaling before trenchless repair?
Most cast iron sewer pipes require descaling before trenchless repairs. Removing rust and scale buildup creates a clean interior surface so epoxy coatings or CIPP pipe lining can be properly installed within the pipe and create a long-lasting repair.
What happens after pipe descaling is completed?
After pipe descaling, technicians typically perform a sewer camera inspection to confirm the pipe walls are clean and the line is flowing properly. If additional repairs are needed, the pipe may then be prepared for trenchless lining or epoxy coating.
Can pipe descaling fix cast iron pipes?
Pipe descaling can restore flow in cast iron sewer pipes by removing rust and scale buildup from the pipe walls. This process often prepares the pipe for trenchless repairs such as epoxy coating or Cured-In-Place-Pipelining (CIPP).
